Since many students work full-time or part-time and are also parents, many make the decision to take distance learning courses. Distance learning is when all or at least most of a college course is completed online. Is distance learning right for you though? Or would you be better off attending a college class that is taught at a physical location? Here are some of the things that you should be sure to take into consideration before deciding to take online courses from any college or university.
Advantages of Distance Learning Courses
If the idea of attending college from the convenience of your home appeals to you, then distance learning could be a great choice for you. No one will care if you wear pajamas. You are also not going to need to spend loads of money on gas commuting back and forth from school.
Another one of the main benefits of distance learning courses is that you can work at your own pace. Instead of having to attend class every day at a certain time, you are usually free to complete your assignments at a time that suits your own schedule. If you balance work and parenting, this can be really advantageous.
Some schools allow you to have the option between synchronous and asynchronous courses. With synchronous classes, online students and their instructor will all sign on at the same time every week to discuss the material. Asynchronous classes allow students to sign on whenever they feel like it, as long as they send in their assignments by the due dates.
Disadvantages of Distance Learning Courses
As great as distance learning may sound, it is important to keep in mind that is not without drawbacks. It may sound very easy to complete assignments when it is suitable for you to do so. However, it is important to keep in mind that you are going to need to keep up with the rest of the class. There will be due dates for the assignments, and missing even one of those due dates can cause you to fail. It is important to be very motivated if you are planning to take a distance learning course or you may fall behind.
Depending on your own learning style preferences, distance learning may or may not be right for you. Usually, the teacher will just have you read the book for the course, and may require you to take quizzes or write essays on the material that you read. If you learn better by listening to someone speak or seeing a visual presentation, distance learning may not be the most suitable choice for you.
Although there are some people who do fine with distance learning courses, there are others who really do not care for it too much. There is no way to determine whether or not it is right for you until you take a few online courses. Keep in mind that since every professor will have a different style of teaching, there are some online courses that you may enjoy more than others.
ALL BUT DISSERTATION (ABD)
Are you at the ABD destination in your program?
There are two types of Ph.D. candidates that fall into this category:
1) The “just arrived” and anxious to move forward.
2) The “been there for awhile” and think they will never move forward.
While both types might require help to move on, it is the latter that is likely to derive the most benefit from this article and become motivated to complete, perhaps, the most important event in their life.
You are intelligent enough to have come this far, there is no reason (from an academic stand point) to linger in the “ABD Zone.” The longer you are there, the more difficult it becomes to pick up the pieces and move forward.
Many Ph.D. candidates seem to hit a brick wall and feel disarmed when called upon to work on the “methods” and “results” section of their dissertation. This is the point where many students diligently search for help calling on their mentor, peers, university assistance and even Google. This is also the time when the student may ask themselves the question “HOW MUCH HELP IS TOO MUCH”?
For complete article:
http://www.statisticsconsultant.com/uncategorized/all-but-dissertation-abd/
Comment by Boyd — July 12, 2009 @ 7:25 am